Whether it is a cold January day, talk of the first harbingers of spring, or the onset of leaves turning in the fall and gracing the refreshment table, a garden club meeting never fails to boost my spirits while teaching me something new. Today was no exception. After some socializing and a brief meeting, the featured speaker was introduced and some 50 or 60 women in attendance forgot the cold outside as they were swept away by Chad Nichols of Nichols Farm in Marengo, IL and the promise of summer’s bounty began to lure us out of our winter’s slumber.
Does Nichols Farms sound familiar? If you frequent any number of the Farmers’ Markets in the Chicago area, chances are likely you purchased some plants in early summer, heirloom tomatoes or one of 20 varieties of potatoes sold by them.
Chad spent close to an hour showing slides and giving us a history of the business, which was started as a hobby farm in 1978. He introduced us to some interesting varieties of vegetables grown on the farm, talked about farming methods used there, and supplied all sorts of interesting horticultural information.
Chad let us all know that it is “fun to see everyone coming back each year” to the Nichols’ produce stand, which they have been manning in Elmhurst for 30 years. He explained to us about how to vernalize seeds and use plain paper plates to put squash seeds on, store by placing one plate on top of the other, and then plant in the spring – plate included! .
One slide appeared and Chad started talking about cole crops. At first, I thought he said cold crops. A few of us whispered “shouldn’t that be cold?” and then the question was asked. Cole crops are vegetables that grow on stems like cauliflower, brussel sprouts and broccoli and, among other benefits, actually get sweeter with the first frost and can boast wonderful colors.
I love the way that a new bit of information sneaks in like that first warm breeze that hints of spring. There is time yet for spring breezes, but it was good today to be dreaming of fresh produce and the growing abundance of local Farmers Markets and of the gleaning of a few tossed seeds of knowledge.
After dinner, I looked up vernalization of seeds and growing cole crops, and spent a little time tilling that still fertile farm of my imagination. It felt pretty good to be thinking of vegetables freshly picked and brought to market and herbs and local berries to take home and savor.
How about you? Did you learn something new recently? Are you starting to think of your own garden or your local farmers market?
Well, I wasn’t, but not I am thinking of the fun of farmer’s markets in the summertime and the delicious produce. I have hopes of gardening someday, but I think this spring might be a bit busy, so we’ll see
Maybe with a little help from an expert, I can grow something this year?
Shall we try herbs again? Or tomatoes? Chad Nichols told us that chamomile grows easily and makes a nice spreading groundcover. I wonder if the deer will stay away? hmmmm
I loved the farmers’ market you and I went to last year, Katy. That nice vendor that gave you some squash to try and all the different kinds of produce that are as diverse as the area you are in. What fun it will be to try some of them this year.
I know so little about gardening that the definition of cole crops adds greatly to the knowledge I have! Now I may have an explanation for why some brussels sprouts taste bitter while others are sweet, yet both may look the same!
My little bit of early spring came about two weeks ago when a crocus bulb that has spent the winter laying on my kitchen window sill, because I never got around to planting it, began to sprout! I stuck it in an egg cup filled with water and now we have a lovely little crocus bloom in our kitchen! Eoin really got a kick out of that!
How fun! I love it when these little things happen in life. A crocus on the windowshill. I’m jealous. It was probably just cool enough in front of the window to fool the bulb and Eoin gets to see the first sign that spring is not too far away (no matter what that ol’ groundhog did today).
Cole crops was a new definition for me and I think quite a few in attendance. Kale and chard and mustard greens fall into this category, too. I know I had some good chard even the other day.
I was happy to hear that all Nichols Farm produce is locally grown, can’t get any fresher than that. I’m sure because of garden club he will have lines at his stand this year. Now I can’t wait for the market to begin…..
I’ll bet you have bought produce from Nichols Farm over the years and just didn’t know it. I know what you mean. I found myself yearning some freshly picked produce yesterday. We will all be flocking for those first berries. They are also in Hinsdale and Oak Park, among other places.